We highly recommend the use of [http://www.getfirefox.com Firefox] as a browser on both the [[Technical Help#Mac | Mac]] and [[Technical Help#PC | PC]] platforms.

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== Java ==

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eLearningBCC requires all users to have the '''Java Runtime Environment''' installed.

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For information on how to make sure that you have the correct version of Java installed visit our [http://dl.bristol.mass.edu/wiki/index.php/Technical_Help/Java_Help Java Help] page.

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== Virus, Spyware and Adware Protection ==

== Virus, Spyware and Adware Protection ==

Installing and updating virus protection and adware and spyware [http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2004/spyware.asp detection and removal software] is the most important thing you can do for your home computer!

Installing and updating virus protection and adware and spyware [http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2004/spyware.asp detection and removal software] is the most important thing you can do for your home computer!

Other vendors like [http://www.mcafee.com/us/ McAfee] or [http://www.symantec.com/ Symantec] offer full security suite applications which will protect you against viruses, adware, spyware and other internet threats. These vendors provide solutions for both [[Technical Help#Mac | Mac]] and [[Technical Help#PC | PC]] users.

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Other vendors like [http://www.mcafee.com/us/ McAfee] or [http://www.symantec.com/ Symantec] offer full security suite applications which will protect you against viruses, adware, spyware and other internet threats.

Make sure that you set your anti-virus programs to automatically update so your computer remains up-to-date against the most recent threats. Please note that when purchasing anti-virus software packages you often only get a one year’s subscription to the updates so you may need to renew or upgrade your subscription.

Make sure that you set your anti-virus programs to automatically update so your computer remains up-to-date against the most recent threats. Please note that when purchasing anti-virus software packages you often only get a one year’s subscription to the updates so you may need to renew or upgrade your subscription.

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And, remember that when [[References#Purchasing Software | purchasing software]] you can receive a student discount!

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== Word Processing Applications ==

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You should be familiar with how to use a word processing application to create and edit files and will need access to one in order to complete your coursework. Many home computers come with Microsoft Works or Word Perfect and the computer labs at the campus all have Microsoft Word installed.

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You can certainly [[References#Purchasing Software | purchase]] Microsoft Word from a local or online vendor. However, there are also a variety of open source, free or low-cost software options available to students:

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== Office 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access ==

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=== Google Docs and Spreadsheets ===

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[http://dl.bristolcc.edu/wiki/index.php/Technical_Help#Office_365 Learn more about how to access and use Office 365.]

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Google offers [http://docs.google.com online word processing and spreadsheet applications]. There is no software to download – you access the software via a web browser. You can also save and store your work online which allows you to access and edit your documents from anywhere! No need to use a thumb/flash drive to move your documents from place to place – as long as you can access the internet you’ll be able to open, edit and print your files!

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=== OpenOffice===

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== Printing PowerPoint Presentations ==

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[http://www.openoffice.org/ Open Office] is a free, open source, cross-platform (meaning it will work on both the Mac and Windows) office suite. It contains applications which allow you to do word processing, develop presentations and create spreadsheets. It also has a Math application which you can use to create and edit math formulas. Please keep in mind that the download of this application is quite large – almost 100 MB – so only attempt to download this if you have a high-speed internet connection (cable or DSL). Do not download this if you are using dial-up – it will take forever!

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Printing PowerPoints can become problematic because many students will print the full slide view which uses up lots of paper and can completely deplete your ink supply. What you want to do is to '''[[Media:ViewingAndPrintingPowerPointFilesIneLearningBCC.pdf | print out handouts ]]''' which will put multiple slides on a page. You'll still be able to read the content but this way you'll save paper,ink and $$$!

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== Viewing PowerPoint Presentations ==

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[http://dl.bristolcc.edu/CamtasiaFiles/PrintingFromPowerPoint/PrintingFromPowerPoint.html Watch a video tutorial] on how to print as handouts from PowerPoint.

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Many instructors will upload PowerPoint Presentations for students to view as part of their online course work. If you do not have PowerPoint you can easily obtain a [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=048DC840-14E1-467D-8DCA-19D2A8FD7485&displaylang=en free PowerPoint viewer] that will allow you to view a presentation without having to purchase the entire PowerPoint application. Please note that this viewer is only available for Windows-based systems.

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[[Technical Help#Mac | Mac]] users: [http://www.apple.com/iwork/keynote/ Keynote] will allow you to view and create PowerPoint presentations. Keynote does not come with the MacOS and will have to be purchased if you not already have the [http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MA222Z/A iWork] suite. A free option to view PowerPoint presentations on the Mac is to obtain [http://www.openoffice.org OpenOffice].

==Working with PDF Files ==

==Working with PDF Files ==

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PDF stands for "Portable Document File." Files that are saved as PDF only require that you have a plug-in installed in your browser.

PDF stands for "Portable Document File." Files that are saved as PDF only require that you have a plug-in installed in your browser.

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=== Viewing PDF Files ===

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In order to view a PDF you will need [http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html Adobe Acrobat Reader]. Many systems already have Reader installed so check your system first before you download.

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In order to view a PDF you will need [http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html Adobe Acrobat Reader]. Many systems already have Reader installed so check your system first before you download.

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There are a variety of options available to enable you to create your own PDF files.

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#'''Mac users''': MacOS X does not require any additional software to create PDF files. It its already built in! In any application: File > Print > Save as PDF...

# '''[http://en.pdf24.org/ PDF24.org]''' is a web-based PDF creator - you upload your file, the system converts it and emails the PDF back to you . Nothing to download or install!

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#[http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/Writer.asp CutePDF] is a free PDF creator that you can use to make PDF files. It works like a printer - to create a PDF file just go to the File menu in whatever program you are in and select Print. From the Printer Name pull-down menu select "CutePDF Writer." The program will "print" to a PDF file - pretty neat! Please note that you will also need to download a converter application so be sure to read the download instructions. There is a link to the converter from the URL provided above.

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=== Making your own PDF Files ===

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[http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/Writer.asp CutePDF] is a free PDF creator that you can use to make PDF files. It works like a printer - to create a PDF file just go to the File menu in whatever program you are in and select Print. From the Printer Name pull-down menu select "CutePDF Writer." The program will "print" to a PDF file - pretty neat!

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Please note that you will also need to download a converter application so be sure to read the download instructions. There is a link to the converter from the URL provided above.

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==Citation Resources==

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Here are some great online sites and tools to help you keep track of all of your sources:

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[[Technical Help#Mac | Mac]] users: MacOS X does not require any additional software to create PDF files. It its already built in! In any application: File > Print > Save as PDF...

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#[http://www.zotero.org/ Zotero] - This new [http://www.getfirefox.com Firefox] extension makes citing your sources incredibly easy! We are extremely impressed with this option and would definitely recommend that you consider using it!

Other vendors like McAfee or Symantec offer full security suite applications which will protect you against viruses, adware, spyware and other internet threats.

Make sure that you set your anti-virus programs to automatically update so your computer remains up-to-date against the most recent threats. Please note that when purchasing anti-virus software packages you often only get a one year’s subscription to the updates so you may need to renew or upgrade your subscription.

Office 365: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access

Printing PowerPoint Presentations

Printing PowerPoints can become problematic because many students will print the full slide view which uses up lots of paper and can completely deplete your ink supply. What you want to do is to print out handouts which will put multiple slides on a page. You'll still be able to read the content but this way you'll save paper,ink and $$$!

PDF24.org is a web-based PDF creator - you upload your file, the system converts it and emails the PDF back to you . Nothing to download or install!

CutePDF is a free PDF creator that you can use to make PDF files. It works like a printer - to create a PDF file just go to the File menu in whatever program you are in and select Print. From the Printer Name pull-down menu select "CutePDF Writer." The program will "print" to a PDF file - pretty neat! Please note that you will also need to download a converter application so be sure to read the download instructions. There is a link to the converter from the URL provided above.

Citation Resources

Here are some great online sites and tools to help you keep track of all of your sources:

Zotero - This new Firefox extension makes citing your sources incredibly easy! We are extremely impressed with this option and would definitely recommend that you consider using it!